The European drone strike and counter-UAV startups, like Germany's Helsing and Stark, have been boosted by a surge in venture capital funding into the defence sector fuelled by wealthy states like Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These Gulf states are already facing threats and are seeking quick solutions. The Qatar Investment Authority has nearly $600 billion of assets, while Saudi’s Public Investment Fund has over $900 billion. The UAE lacks resources and has been using Patriot missiles that cost $4 million each to intercept Shaheds, which start at more like $35,000. The Gulf states have also reached out to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for assistance. An investment into Europe could significantly increase the scale and valuations of counter-AV startups. This could create more opportunities for smaller companies like $3.5 billion German group Quantum Systems and other players like the UK's Cambridge Aerospace.